Republican presidential field gets smaller

The field of candidates seeking the Republican party’s presidentialnomination is down by two today. New Hampshire Senator Bob Smith yesterday switched parties, and launched anindependent bid for the presidency. Smith’s Iowa office remains open,although a phone answering machine screens calls. Another candidate, OhioCongressman John Kasich (kay-sick), is withdrawing from the G.O.P. racetoday and is reportedly throwing his support to the front-runner, George W.Bush.